What is so beautiful is the co-creative process that creates our altars…. how each of us brings items from our home that collectively come together in the most astonishing way and create magic! This month we were a bit perplexed as to how to create an altar for Story. But we have learned to trust the process and how it all unfolds.
We hope that the altar inspires you.
From Michelle: The small banner is my grandmother’s. She lived an amazing life including going into the wilderness of Africa (in her 20’s) to search for diamonds so that her family could afford medicine for her mother whom she adored and who was very sick. In the center of the piece is a scarab beetle. We learned as we were creating the altar that one source states that in ancient Egypt scarab beetle is a symbol for Transformation. It reminds me of our past and that we can harvest the learnings of our past – and transform them!
From Cindy: The angel reminds me that as we do this (sometimes) hard work, we are supported by Divine Spirit or the Greater Intelligence of Life.
Patty brought us gorgeous flowers from her garden in the most lovely pottery vases that she created. The orchid is a gift from Pat Millman.
From Maggie: The story of the little writing desk is that when my uncle, a Baptist minister, officiated at my wedding in 1970, my family gave him the antique writing desk as a thank-you. When he died, many years later, my aunt sent it to me. Whenever I look at it, I have fond memories of him. The story of the quill pens and inkwell is interesting. Many longtime Charlottesvillians remember Lewis Glaser, who had a shop downtown, selling quills and pewter inkwells. What not everyone knows, is that he made them for the Supreme Court. Every attorney arguing a case before the Supreme Court was given a quill and inkwell, dating back to the 1800s, when people used quills and inkwells for actual note. In 1945, the quill supplier in England died, and for 5 years there was a break in the tradition, but in 1950, Senator Prescott Bush, the father of George HW Bush, asked a goose farmer who lived near New Haven CT, to provide a set for President Eisenhower. The gift impressed the President, and soon Mr Glaser was asked to resume the supply to the Supreme Court. Mr Glaser died in the 1980s, but a colleague took up the business and it continues to this day. This one came from the little shop located downtown years ago. The writing desk lies open with a quill waiting to be picked up by You, by me, by us!
The little figurine that is gazing at the writing desk, is curious…. this reminds us to bring curiosity and wonder!
What new story will you write? What new possibilities are there?
We felt this so powerfully and hopeful for our theme this month of Story! It reminds us of new possibilities for our lives, for our culture, for our country and for our global community.
Michelle Goodrich, Cindy Mick, Maggie Ober and Patty Wallens