Meditatio and Imaginatio

When the alchemists speak of meditari they mean an inner dialogue and hence a living relationship to the answering voice of the 'other' in ourselves. We can achieve this by talking about the meaning of life with a blade of grass or a mushroom.

Study, sweat, work, cook... so will a healthful flood be opened to you.

Posted by Heather

Abbey Meditation

Monday, June 26, 2006



This Triptych is one of the Abbess’s favourite pieces to meditate upon before she begins her daily round.


posted by Heather

Abbey Alchemy

Saturday, June 24, 2006



Something mighty potent is brewing in the Alchemist's Lair at the Abbey.
One sip of the golden elixar and your shadow selves will become numinous.





Enchanteur and the Abbess have been meddling in the old alchemist's lair and have conjured up the Rainbow Serpent. They were supposed to be working on the elixar of immortality but clearly became distracted.


posted by Heather

Four Abbey Rules

Friday, June 23, 2006



1. Follow Nature

2. First know, then act. Real knowledge exists in the triangle composed of seeing, feeling and understanding.

3. Use only one vessel, one fire, one instrument. The person who takes the chosen path may succeed, while the person who attempts to walk on many paths will be delayed.

4. Keep the fires burning constantly



posted by Heather

Abbey Alchemy

Thursday, June 22, 2006



Step inside
the virtual world of the Abbey
whose shape
draws inspiration from
nautilus shells, wasps nests and dragonfly wings

Step through the main doorway
and transmute
base metals into gold
using the Philosopher's Stone

Step into the corridors of the pysche
To discover the Elixir Vitae,
the drinking of which
will confer
ever lasting creativity.

posted by Heather

Manor in darkness but WE WILL RETURN

Sun Jun 25, 2006 9:15 pm

Riversleigh Manor is in darkness while everyone stays in the Abbey and encourages newcomers seeking to adopt writing and art as a daily practice. It is not wise to have two groups operating simultaneously as we will all get even more confused.

However, the Riversleigh blogger is still operational and we will
return to the house with Enchanteur at some point in the not too
distant future.

Then quiet will descend upon the Abbey again.

Hope this makes sense

cheers
Heather

Abbey Novices and Elders Alike

Sun Jun 25, 2006 5:53 pm

Hello Everyone

Riversleigh is closed now and we are all moving to the Abbey.

We have a gathering of novices and elders here in the Abbey and the Abbess (another of my alter egos, she says rolling her eyes a lot) will be keeping an eye on things and gently encouraging new members to undertake the seven labours in a creative environment.

When you go to your 'cells' you will find a box of chocolates has been left as a welcome gift. You can leave them for awhile and post what you fancy or you can savour one http://www.dailywriting.net/choc%20box/chochbox.htm and share your visual or written responses.

Do not be constrained by form. This is a place of alchemical experimentation and that Abbess just loves to see new forms emerging.

By the time the labours are done Enchanteur is likely to show up and entice us all with another of her journey's. But for now - your handbook is the A-Z of Alchemy http://www.dailywriting.net/Alphabet/Main.html Just click the letters. At the moment it is only A that has text - the A box has four A's in it http://www.dailywriting.net/Alphabet/A.html.

We will be working collaboratively on this project while we are in the Abbey and I will enthusiastically publish work and put links to responses from Abbey residents. None of the pages will remain static and I will make adjustments continually so make sure to refresh your pages.

hugs to all
Heather

A Season in the Abbey

Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:21 pm

Riversleigh Manor will be closing down for a couple of months while we all go for 'a season' in the Abbey. So catch a raven or whatever and make sure you are signed in to the Abbey blog and the new Abbey group at Yahoo.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lemurianabbey/

Don't panic though! This group will get activated again when it is time to 'go back home'.

Keep an eye on the new A to Z of Soul Food Alchemy http://www.dailywriting.net/Alphabet/Main.html and feel free to work along with the program that I am putting together for our 'season in the Abbey'.

I am looking for submissions and ideas - decorations and bits and pieces to add to pages. None will be static and they will be added to as we go. I am anticipating that it will take two months before all 26 letters are filled.

love to all
Heather

Launching the ABC of Soul Food Alchemy

Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:55 pm

Hello Everyone

I am excited. Inspiration flew through the door and I launching the ABC as the A to Z of Soul Food Alchemy and Transmutation.

The first page is up but it is still undergoing changes and adjustments as I refine it.

You can work along with me on this project in the Abbey, which is now the main portal to Lemuria and all that Lemuria has to offer. Notice that there is a task. Each page will have tasks and they will only appear gradually so that we have time to adjust and make additions and alterations. All these pages will be organic and you will all be able to make contributions.

Now that the theme is clear some of you may be keen to do some alchemical artist trading cards and photographs that I can incorporate to make it all look just stunning.

Oooh! I love it when I feel creativity surging through my veins.

hugs
Heather

A Season in the Abbey

Friday, June 23, 2006





Sick and paralysed, Nelson returned to England, and decided to accompany his father to Bath for a cure in January 1781. In a busy season Nelson was lucky to find digs with the apothecary Joseph Spry at 2 Pierrepont Street. News of the expedition in Nicaragua reached Bath as one of the army officers was also recovering his health in the city.

During the 18th century, Bath was an extremely fashionable cultural hub, attracting the aristocracy and gentry from all over the country.

In Lemuria it is the Abbey which is the cultural hub for artists and writers. Indeed, Riversleigh Manor is closing down for a couple of months and we are all going to have 'a season' in the Lemurian Abbey.

So anyone who is still here needs to pack their bags and hot foot it over to the Abbey bofore all the digs are occupied. We will make sure that there are plenty of activities to amuse everyone while we are ' in the Abbey'.

posted by Heather

Created an Abbey Group

Fri Jun 23, 2006 1:05 am

I am setting up a Yahoo group for the Abbey, where all those who are wanting to join 'the journey' and visit Lemuria will be initially based.

Since I have addresses all over the place I have sent out some invitations but don't be offended if I have missed inviting you.

We will be in the Abbey for a few weeks while le Enchanteur and Heather figure out the Alphabet project which will track the 'Heroine's Journey' and include lots of samples of people's work.

To join the Abbey simply go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lemurianabbey/ and ask to join. I will sign you in immediately.

Eventually there will be three groups with Yahoo and you might want to put some on Special Messages so that you are not inundated with mail.

These groups are:

Abbey - for those beginning the journey

Riversleigh - residence for people who have worked. or are currently working closely with me as I develop the site.

Lemurian Elders - a group for those who have completed the journey.

Please choose email or digest for this group or make sure to check regularly.

Generally I hope folk will mainly communicate through the bloggers but the Yahoo groups are an important way to ensure that any news travels throughout the land.

hugs
Heather

Heroine's Journey

Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:52 pm

Hello Everyone

New members of Soul Food have a window of opportunity and can sign in to the Lemurian Abbey. I will be setting up a special email list for members of the Abbey to facilitate communications. If you want to join simply send me an email with your address and I will add you in to the Abbey Group. I am pondering over the wisdom of creating a Yahoo group especially for the Abbey but am wary of duplications and people receiving a host of email.

No lurking is permitted in the Abbey. Long termers will know that I do not make any unrealistic demands. However I do expect people who move into another stage here at Soul Food to at least make comments on the work of others and post every so often.

If you check the Abbey at http://lemurian-abbey.blogspot.com/ you will see that a few of us are settling ourselves in. We will be in the Abbey for at least a month before going off on any long expeditions. You will have time to get your Soul Food legs before Enchanteur sweeps in the door and causes havoc. However, there may be some quick jaunts to places like the Hermitage and the Gypsy Camp which is located nearby.

cheers
Heather

To the Abbey We Go

Wed Jun 21, 2006 6:15 am

I have managed to get to the Lemurian Abbey but neither Wilder or Enchanteur are to be found.
http://lemurian-abbey.blogspot.com/2006/06/i-am.html

Abandon ship - dip into those bags Enchanteur gave you and get yourself to the Abbey. I am sure I can smell breakfast cooking. Perhaps Ebony is here after all. I don't think we will see Enchanteur for awhile. Could I really be so lucky?

love to all
Heather

Bloody Hell

Mon Jun 19, 2006 6:52 pm

le Enchanteur and Captain Wilder have up and left the Calabar. A captain abandoning the ship is unheard of! It is simply not the way to do things I am afraid.

They have left me with instructions to take control and tell everyone to dip into their bags and hot foot it to the Lemurian Abbey. Honestly! How is anyone meant to cope around here?

Rumour hath it, from a very good source, that le Enchanteur and some of the Lemurian Elders have found the Cave of the Ancients and are busily settling in there. Apparently you can all find the cave and will eventually be welcomed but I have been given no specific instructions as to how you are supposed to do that. Something about seven stage and seven doors.
http://soulfoodcafe.wordpress.com/

I figure if you make yourself at home in the Abbey, soak in the environment and practice the Soul Food Way all become clear.

From what I can gather the Captain has transformed herself and is back to being the meeker, milder, housekeeper of the Abbey.

I was told that messages will come through to the Abbey. So if you are not a member of the Abbey make sure to let me know so that I can send an invitation to join it.

much wringing of hands
love Heather

Sneak Preview - Alphabet Coming

Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:51 am

The new Alphabet templates are in place

http://www.dailywriting.net/Alphabet/Main.html

and I will be working on this project over the next couple of months.
I had thought of combining some letters but I am going with all 26 and it should be a sensation.

Any submissions will be welcome. The object of the Alphabet is to orientate people to the site and provide lots of stimulus for travellers. Doing this provides real purpose for artist's and writers because I will feature as many regulars as possible.

Heather

Are You A Crew Member?

Mon Jun 5, 2006 11:08 pm

If you are not on the Calabar http://mysteryof.blogspot.com/ already you need to get down to the cove and be rowed out to the old ship, Captained by Ebony Wilder and making its way towards the Lemurian Abbey.

This is an opportunity for new crew to come on board and to join the band of travellers who are searching for the Dead Man's Chest which holds the only map which reveals the location of the Cave of the Ancients.

I have set up a special mailing list for crew members - using Outlook Express - so that messages can be delivered from the Captain.
bottoms up
hail me hearties and all that

cheers
Heather

Story in a Bottle

Saturday, June 03, 2006

You have all heard of messages in a bottle. Well now it is your chance to write a story to go in a bottle that le Enchanteur can keep in her cabin on board the Calabar.

After yesterday's tantrum Enchanteur seems much more tranquil and her cabin appears idyllic but it would be well to be cautioned that she is a shape shifter and can change with the breezes that puff up the Calabar's sails.

Keep Enchanteur happy by doing a bit of the Arabian Nights style story telling and create some stories to go in bottles. Of course it would be fun to have decorated bottles to match the stories.

posted by Heather

You better not go down to the Cove today.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

You better not go down to the cove today. You better go in disguise.

It is Saturday and le Enchanteur and the Gorgon are as fractious as can be. Enchanteur is in such a state that she has steam coming out of her ears and the Gorgon is not happy either.

They have reputations to maintain. Images to hold!

Hopefully, those planning to travel by ship will be able to slip down to the cove tomorrow, row out and claim a cabin while these two sleep off their Saturday fractiousness. Hopefully they will be more amiable by the time we all sit down for a Sunday dinner together.

And whose head is that dangling out there? Faucon? I hope you and Cher-lynn made a quick getaway up over the mountain pass.

posted by Heather

Captain Bonny Wilder

Friday, June 02, 2006

Ebony Wilder has come on her Pirate Ship to collect some human cargo and take them to the Lemurian Abbey. She is being received by the Rainbow Serpent Priestess and negotiating as we speak. The offer of some 'cabin's of one's own' may well be enough to entice travellers take passage on her ship. Well, the truth is that they have little choice because the mountain routes are currently impassable.

But first the Rainbow Serpent Priestess insists, crew members must leave another skin behind at the House of Serpents for safe keeping. I wonder what folk will leave now.

posted by Heather

A Night To Remember

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

When the glorious Phoenix belonging to the Rainbow Serpent Priestess comes to earth it come to do good deeds for people, and her appearance symbolizes the beginning of a new era. In one story involving Sinbad, the roc unknowingly carries Sinbad to safety after a shipwreck and in another the roc carries him to the Valley of Diamonds. Going farther back into Persian antiquity, there is an immortal bird, amrzs, or (in the Minoi-khiradh) slnamurv, which shakes the ripe fruit from the mythical tree that bears the seed of all useful things

In Japanese mythology, after doing its good deed the bird ascends back to heaven to await a new era.

The Phoenix is here and offering to do good deeds for travellers. She will take you for a fantastical night ride and show you the wonders of the world if that is your desire. Or she will sit with you, shake the ripe fruit that bears the seeds of all that is useful and be your muse for the night.

Make sure to take advantage of this most providential arrival.

Posted by Heather

A Cabin of One's Own

Sunday, May 28, 2006

A traveller enjoys some solitude, in a cabin, on board the ship moored down in Pirate Cove. She takes the time to paint a hand to leave in the Cave of Hands at the House of Serpents

Silent, quiet time, in a space of one's own enhances creativity.

posted by Heather