Venetia Nevill – Multi-sensory and experiential art work

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The sixth letter of the ogham alphabet is the powe

The sixth letter of the ogham alphabet is the powerful, sacred hawthorn. It is connected to the heart and offers protection, cleansing and releases blocked energy to prepare for spiritual growth. For me it is all about accessing the courage of the heart, and in these challenging times recognising that even when fear is present, it is possible to choose to open the heart, be still in the present moment and the mind will eventually follow. I created a mandala to honour the hawthorn bringing gifts from the ash tree, the fallen leaves of the magical alder near by and some gorgeous vine leaves that always symbolize regeneration and letting go for me. I used some of the tree’s thorns to gently secure the leaves from the howling storms this weekend and found sanctuary under its canopy. The six-pointed star, the hexagram, has in the past been used as a talisman and for connecting with spirits in ceremonial magic. But it’s relevance today is more about connecting to a heart centred way of being - the healing, nurturing energy of Gaia, Mother Earth. The mystical union of the two triangles represents Creation, occurring through the divine union of male and female, and god and humanity - the love underlying everything. The oldest example of this star is in India. In Hinduism the hexagram mandala symbol stands for "nara-narayana," the balance of man and god achieved through meditation and resulting in nirvana. Like the star, the hawthorn relates to the union of sun and moon, male and female. ‘It contains the knowledge of transformation and highlights the importance of process and the necessity for change’. it can often seem counter intuitive to pause and go slow in a goal orientated world, but the hawthorn wisdom guides us to cultivate patience, grounding and careful preparation. And I reckon to keep trusting and connecting to the heart. #hawthorn #ogham #sacred #courage #openheart #hexagon #greengoddess #love #trust #mandala #balance #peacewithin #pause #alchemy #interconnection

In Ancient Greek mythology the ash tree was associ

In Ancient Greek mythology the ash tree was associated with Poseidon the god of the sea and thought to protect travellers from drowning. The ogham symbol for the sea is Mor. It is associated with the moon goddesses, female ancestors, healing the unconscious and inner child. The sea encourages us to make spiritual pilgrimages within and without to learn more about our roots, and to honor all waters on the planet including in our bodies. It was wonderful to go on a little solo pilgrimage to the sea and connect to the elements and to breathe deeply. I took some water from the ash spring and created a mandala to honour the sea and the interconnection of all waters. And brought some sea gifts home for the dear ash to thank it for all its gifts before I move onto the hawthorn. As the 5th letter in the ogham alphabet the ash relates to the five subtle and gross elements. The fifth element space (aether) is ‘the essence that the gods breathed’, the bridge between the manifest and unmanifest. This Samhain super new moon in Libra is a liminal time when the veils between the unseen and seen are thin so a great time to do rituals and connect to our ancestors. Remembering to listen with our inner ears and heart can bring balance and deep connection into our lives at a time when there is so much uncertainty. I love that in numerology number 5 is an expression of personal freedom something we can always find in the stillness and in the small gestures and kindnesses. #Mor #sea #ogham #mandala #ritual #ancestors #aether
#essence #pilgrimage #healing #lovewater #sacred #spirit #samhain #consciousness
The beautiful words in the video clip are from the Celtic Tree Oracle by Sharlyn Hidalgo

‘If you knew yourself for even one moment, if yo

‘If you knew yourself for even one moment, if you could just glimpse
your most beautiful face,
maybe you wouldn't slumber so deeply in that house of clay.
Why not move into your house of joy
and shine into every crevice!
For you are the secret Treasure-bearer,
and always have been.
Didn't you know?’- Rumi We are made of clay and we are made of the stars. In many religious texts from ancient Egypt to Chinese legends, God moulds clay into the shape of man and then breathes life into him through his nostrils. I have been moulding clay on the bark of trees for a while as a way to honour and be more intimate with the trees. But with the ash tree it feels especially poignant and important to memorialise them, because of the threat of ash die back. I have been using the wonderful clay I discovered digging for a spring under the ash tree. and it feels like the earth is creating creatures and offerings to the trees. We need to take care of these precious ash trees. In Norse mythology the well-being of the cosmos depends on the well-being of the sacred Yggdrasil holding the world together. Supposedly when the tree trembles, it signals the arrival of the destruction of the universe. Thé Cosmic Ash is said to span the universe and have roots that delve deep into the earth. The ancient Druids said the Ash connected all the parts of the world around us and the cosmos is reflected in us. It teaches us to go within to access knowledge and peace. Thank you @nativehands.uk for wonderful wild pottery course in the woods - collecting clay, moulding on a ravishing ash tree, grinding grog, making fires and watching the alchemy at play. It was so wonderful to be co creating in nature with others! #asabovesobelow #ritual #clay #alchemy #ashtree #sacredearth #elements #minerals #mythology #cosmic #lovenature #presence #meditation #peacewithin

‘I breathe Life easily. I speak my truth. I am p

‘I breathe Life easily. I speak my truth. I am protected. I am at one with the Universe.
I honor the energy of ash, the magician's staff.
I will recognize that "as above, so below," I play a part in the larger scheme of things.
I will link my inner and outer worlds....’ (green goddess) Love this ancient ash spell. Ash tree symbolism is linked to the Sun and to the elements of Fire and Air. Am making the most of the sunshine to create solar amulets from two ash twigs to bring protection and comfort to fight off the wintertime darkness. The autumn equinox today offers a beautiful moment of stillness to balance the light and dark energies before the days get shorter. I find the best way to do this is to ground in nature and connect to its elemental wisdom. Collecting berries and flowers and making mandala blessings to give thanks for nature’s abundance, gently brings me back to the present moment and a sense of belonging, within the constantly changing cycles of life. I hadn’t planned on a ritual last night so it was special to intuitively co create with shamanic healer Gabrielle Lewery at St Helen’s Spring. Felt absolutely held by the vibration of her sacred sounds and exquisite singing. These ancient Celtic festivals remind me to honour all the good in my life and ask what can i do today which will create a better tomorrow. Accepting and letting go of the past can bring balance and harmony. Ultimately it is our quality of beingness, not productivity, which influences the world within and without. #autumnequinox #ash #ogham #cernunnos #solaramulet #protection #healing #abundance #ritual #sacredsound #medicine #beingness #balance #cyclesoflife #mandala #lovenature #presence

“Odin’s Eye’ (created with ink and iron from

“Odin’s Eye’ (created with ink and iron from a sacred chalybeate spring) According to legend , the Norse god Odin hung from the world tree Yggdrasil, an ash tree, for 9 days pierced by his own spear to gain wisdom and especially knowledge of the system of the runes. He sacrificed one of his eyes (some say to the ravens) to drink from the spring of wisdom. Two ravens named Huginn and Muninn( thought and memory) sat on Odin’s shoulders and acted as his spies. Rather wonderfully a raven followed me to the ash trees. Often known as the black winged messenger from beyond, the spiritual meaning of Raven symbolism is to know that magical forces are presenting themselves for you... When magic is near the Raven appears. The English myth is that the warrior king, St. Oswald’s right arm was taken to an ash tree by a raven, who dropped it and started a holy spring. The Ash is often found growing near holy wells and sacred springs. Am digging in the hope that I uncover a spring and giving the ash a chance to see it’s reflected beauty in the water Up until September 15th we are also in the magical window of connecting to the Rishi stars. According to a Hindu legend, some great sages upon their death, rose up into the heavens and became these stars. When they are visible in the night sky, their light is said to possess special healing powers that transform all water. (the water in our bodies can be blessed and purified as well) So perfect time to connect to our ancestors, bathe in planetary rain and expect miracles ! #ash #ogham #odin #eye #spring #sacred #runes #raven #healing #perception #mythology #rishistars #ritual #wearewater #miracles (Am offering the painting or prints for sale so do dm me if interested)

"Know yourself and you will know the world." The

"Know yourself and you will know the world." The powerful ash tree is the fifth ogham tree known as the cosmic tree or axis mundi. One of the five sacred Druid trees it represents the connection between the three worlds of the underworld, middle earth, and the spiritual realm and has powers to integrate the past, present and future. A beautiful swallow danced around me when I was by the ash and swallows can symbolize protection and a conflict about to be resolved. The ash ‘keys’ signify unlocking doors to new knowledge and guide us to look within for answers, and to stand firm rather than become drawn into the conflict of others. ‘The ash fairy understands that problems are rarely solved on the level at which they were created.‘ ( green goddess). It seems that the indescribable knowledge of the ash cannot really be understood by our minds, only reached through an expansion of consciousness. The Pisces corn full moon is the last before the autumn equinox and is all about tapping into abundance and reaping the gifts . But it is also connected to Neptune which can be about where we get lost. Am staying in gorgeous Glastonbury and have already got lost in the mists of Avalon . But there are so many beautiful ash trees here to ground me and keep me rooted in the present - getting lost is nature’s way of encouraging me to take a different path #ash #ogham #cosmictree #wisdom #intuition #fullmoon #ritual #swallow #ydrassil #innerchild #protection #glastonbury #spiritualwarrior #consciousness

‘I release that which no longer serves me. I am

‘I release that which no longer serves me. I am at one with my environment.
I honor the energy of willow for the lunar rhythms within me as a woman.
I will recognize and heed my own body's cycles.’ (Greengoddess)
The willow teaches us the lesson of life in death, that endings are just beginnings. I said thank you with mandalas on the dark moon, to the beautiful willow trees for all their gifts. Lavender is associated with clear honest communication (with ourselves and others) and encourages compassion while helping to soothe deep sadness. While Abelia means ‘breath’ and ‘source of life’.
Working with various willow materials has encouraged me to be flexible and bend round obstacles. Moulding clay on the gorgeous V shaped bark markings revealed a Ganesha type head and knowing eye. Ganesha is the Indian elephant deity, the remover of obstacles. In Hindu mythology, the Shrew is known as the divine carrier of Lord Ganesha which symbolizes the Shrew's role as representing worldly desires to overcome. Curiously, I found a dear little dead shrew by the tree so I buried it there.
When the magic circle I was weaving was blown down by a storm I had to let go of my perfectionism and it just became a different shape. And I began to realize that the next weaving section could only be revealed and make sense when I had completely finished where I was. Wonderful reminder to stay present - trying to predict the future seems even more pointless than ever nowadays! The willows flexibility and regenerative powers are a wonderful reminder to go with the flow and trust that all will be well. #willow #flexibility #ganesha #earthtending #mandala #blessings #lovetrees #ogham #healing #presence #regeneration #ritual #trust #intuition
Thank you @sophia.mcnab for helpful tips about grinding charcoal and medium - it certainly had a life of its own.

‘I would like to beg of you, dear friend, as wel

‘I would like to beg of you, dear friend, as well as I can, to have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books written in a foreign language. Do not now look for the answers. They cannot now be given to you because you could not live them.’(Rilke) We are still in the beautiful transformative lions gate energy of 8.8.- the rising of the star Sirius aligning with the Sun in Leo, the heart centre. The manifesting 8 number represents the infinity symbol and the ancients believed this portal was the beginning of a new year. Time to let go and sacrifice limiting beliefs, ideas and fears and to create new projects and also to be creative about relating to conflict Apparently the strong energies of Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto are gathering in retrograde, in Capricorn, and the Moon and Mars has been in Aries. So it is not surprising that the emotional response of people right now can be agressive and confrontational. The restructuring going on in a chaotic world can bring a creative energy, seeding new ideas and new ways of being but it can feel counter intuitive to be still and go within in the midst of uncertainty. For me painting out my frustrations and powerlessness is so cathartic. I love the ritual of making art to release and sometimes to physically bury old negative energies, as a pathway to finding more positive and gentle ways of changing my attitudes and perspective. And moulding with clay grounds and connects me to the sacred Earth that holds everything. I wrapped this powerfigure with some feathers I found on the grass from a dear jay probably killed by a bird of prey. The jay adapts quickly and intelligently to any new situation and shows us the power of risk taking and seizing opportunities, while balancing that courage with ‘discreet silence and the utmost patience in timing’. . Sometimes it is about what we are willing to surrender, to be free from conditioned dynamics and narratives. The heart can hold it all! #lionsgate #heartenergy #alchemy #portal # #ritual #clay #surrender #sacrifice #jay #courage #ink #presence #light #silencewithin

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