Of Snakes and Art

Praying in Color

A few weeks before my recent surgery, a dear friend gave me a copy of Sybil MacBeth's book, Praying in Color, published by Paraclete Press.

An epiphany for me for sure.  Over the years I have often considered some of my art to be prayers; way back I even started a series of "Prayer Rugs"--designs for rugs on which to pray for certain things.  I still have several, but they were carefully drawn and executed, taking many hours to complete.  They would probably not serve for a serious prayer life for most people. 

Sybil MacBeth has cut through the technical difficulties I, the artist, created for myself.  Her book is not about art, but about prayer.   Click here to read her words and those of others praising the virtues of the idea.

I can only say that at a time when I very much needed an anchor for my prayer life, this technique gave me one.   I owe Sybil and Paraclete Press a debt of gratitude for bringing us this book.

Be a Healer Snake!!!!

This morning I opened my email and found two lovely, long missives from dear friends I do not see very often.  The letters were almost essays, so carefully crafted were they--no quickly dashed off TXTMSGS with LOL's and OMG's liberally lacing the lines.

The friends took time to write vivid descriptions, complex sentences, and even neat paragraphs.  Not a word was misspelled and punctuation was perfect.

Yes, they are older (60+ and 90+) and hale from an era when it was just good manners to write carefully.  Nonetheless, they did it.  They took valuable time to think of me and write to me.

So, where does being a Healer Snake come in?  Healer Snakes slide quietly through the brush or silently glide through the air to deliver thier healing and then they are gone with no fanfare.  They expect nothing in return but a a smile at the flash of color from the sun striking their skin. 

The words my friends wrote gladdened my heart and was in a way a prayer for my quick recovery.  They used their art to heal me. 

Be a Healer Snake.  Share your art, whatever it might be, with someone who needs it.