INTO the DESERT 2018 - Part III of V

Into the Desert 2018

carol p. vaccariello, dmin., lpc

storyteller

(BACK TO PART II)

Last year I submitted a painting of Raven for a women’s art show: Transformative Journey 

There are many stories about Raven. She has shown herself in various cultures. There are stories about White and Black Ravens. About how she was transformed from White to Black in an act of life-giving love. Native Americans have collections of Raven stories. One popular story with numerous variations is, How Raven Stole the Sun.

Transformative Journey

This year I submitted “Raven #1: Zentangle and Haiku”

Zentangle is an advanced form of meditative doodling, a stress reducing prayer form.

I enjoy writing Haiku, a meditative rhythmic pattern repeating  5, 7, 5 syllables.

“Raven #1” is comprised of nine individual Zentangles strung together with 17 verses of Haiku.

The two mediums complement one another in the following piece: “Raven #1: Zentangle and Haiku”

Raven #1: ZENTANGLE and HAIKU

Read me aloud please

Slowly and thoughtfully place

Each word on your tongue

I thought I was done

Then a doodle is never

Complete on paper

Haiku dancing twirled

Inside my head like Spirit

Hovering gently

Above chaos then

And now sparkling Light once more

In eternal grace

There is always more

To uncover mindless art

Of subtle scribbles

Releasing deep thoughts

Of times gone by and hoped for

In this moment here

You read these white words

Quickly, there’s much to be done

And more to be seen

Encounter it all

Steady and slow, fast furious

This precious moment

Do you know how long

It took to not think out loud

or silent and still?

Counting first to five

And then syllables seven

Always rhyme heaven

Have you got it yet?

The pattern and the patter

All about Raven

When first she appeared

Sitting with her Beloved

Pearlescent white gleams.

She paid Divine price

Acting the creative charge

To gift us FIRE

Content with harsh voice

Stately iridescent black

She, Creatrix, sits

Enthroned in Earthly

Splendor connecting Divine

With awesome wonder:

She and you and me!

Together Divinity

Created splendor!

Go on, take the time

Read me once more, satisfy

Your heart on fire!

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Raven is a mythical, magical creature. In one of the Aridian tradition of Italian Witchcraft, Raven is both a messenger and a god. When Raven croaks, calls you, be prepared to receive a message. 

I ‘meet’ Raven in daily meditation. She hovers before me. Sometimes sits on my shoulders. In Tecopa, waiting to purchase fuel, I saw them. two large black birds perched in a palm tree on the opposite side of the road. I inquired, “Are there Ravens in the desert?” “Yes,” he replied, following my gaze into the tall desert palm. Sure-enough, there were two right there. Watching us. Pay attention!

Ravens’ Greeting in Tecopa

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(CONTINUE TO PART IV)