We all have an innate ability to create something that serves as a symbol of our inner world. Soul loves revealing its presence in a multitude of ways, whether it is the creation of an image, a sacred place, a physical experience or in a relationship. Practicing creative exercises give the soul prominence in our lives so that we may have a clearer idea of what it is that we love or recoil from, why we are here and what we are here to do.

Included on this page are two Labyrinths for you to save and print, you may increase  them to use as finger Labyrinths, or simply have them close by for inspiration.

Once you have begun work with the Labyrinth you may find that you have a growing desire to express yourself more meaningfully or creatively, but have no idea where to begin.
 

The following suggestions are to initiate a spark of curiosity, playfulness and wonder in what maybe a most exciting period of your life. Feel free to deviate from these and come up with your own suggestions.

Journaling

Things you can use:           

- Exercise books

- Sketch books

- Old cardboard kids books (you can paint over the pages or sand them back and re-decorate the surface.)

- Artist's hardcover visual process diaries

- Calico (cut them into page sizes you like and you can paint, draw, print, write or sew on them!) Note, it is easier to bind the pages after they are decorated.

- Pens, pencils, markers, chalk, oil pastels, charcoal, old make-up (like eye-shadow, eyeliner, lipstick and nail-polish), textas, gel pens, jelly role pens, water-soluble crayons.

- Acrylic paint, water-colors (you don't need the expensive stuff), ink.

- Rubber stamps, stencils, sponges, self-made stamps from corks, potatoes, Styrofoam, lino blocks.

- Fingerprints, handprints, footprints, lip prints.

- Photocopies of fingerprints, handprints, footprints, lip prints.

- Cutouts from magazines and brochures.

- Photographs, business cards, maps, greeting cards, lists, postcards.

- quotes, affirmations, reminder notes.

Basic techniques

This is my personal process for journaling:

- Paint a layer of kid's water color paint onto the page.

- You can also draw words or patterns onto the page with crayon first and then paint over this with water color for a groovy effect.

- Paste images onto the page (photos, cutouts etc.)

- draw borders around the edge of the page and around the images. I also use glitter glue pens (my favorite) or oil pastels for this.

- Rubber stamp patterns or characters onto the page.

- Write a dialogue between any characters.

- Add quotes that I like.

- Draw a box and write a list in it, remember to date these.

- fill in space by writing stream-of-consciousness dialogue.

- Vandalize (or enhance) images by drawing extra features on top, like costumes, mustaches, tattoos, slogans.

- Stick on sequins, googly craft eyes, feathers, beads, lace, doilies, material and rhinestones. 

Note: I work on pages that are at various states of completion so don't feel like you have to just do one at a time, one day you might flick to a page and know exactly what needs to fill in a space.

Collage

I mostly use this technique in my journals but it also looks fantastic on old tables and chairs, frames, boards and antique suitcases. You can also make tarot card size cards (also known as Artist's Trading Cards, or Soul Collage cards) and make up a collection to sit in a bowl on your desk or coffee table. A really amazing book for this is Soul Collage by Seena B. Frost. They work like your own personal set of oracle cards. Just brilliant. Please let me know if you are also a Soul Collage practitioner because I’d love to stay in touch!

The most useful tools for collage are sharp scissors, PVA craft glue and a large ring binder with clear plastic sleeves inside. I label each of these sleeves with titles like: body parts, facial features, animals, flowers, landscapes, ornaments, jewelry, fashion accessories, textiles, patterns, art, sculpture, architecture, environments etc. Then I simply file away all the images that I collect into their designated place for easy access.

Sacred Spaces 

I am a firm believer in the power of creating sacred space to honor your soulful / spiritual needs or if you a not comfortable with that concept, then a place to focus your creativity. Of all the various artistic and creative pursuits I could mention, I include this practice because like collage and journaling it doesn't have to cost you anything, you simply work with what you've got.

Find a space in a yard, room, on a shelf, table, wall, back of the door, fridge, ceiling space or anything that will serve to display pleasing tokens of your personal identity. This does not necessarily mean photos of how you look now, but rather symbols of the inner life that you cultivate. This might be a poster of a deity, mythical or actual animal, landscapes (visionary or of a favorite place), scripture, philosophical system, symbols, hand positions or precepts, a favorite poem, or poster of an old movie, whatever serves as a reminded of your unique perspective on life.

Adding ornaments and statues is even more fun, or a vase of flowers, candles, set of runes or oracle cards, shells, rocks, feathers, incense, musical instrument, drawing, photographs, antiques, favorite toys, God-box (like a letter-box, but somewhere you can post a letter to God and then wait to receive some sort of inspiration - it actually works), or examples of the elements.

The most important thing is that whenever you look at it, it makes you feel like you are coming Home. You do not have to have it as a display that other people can see, it is also not meant to be judged, but it may also be a good way of indicating to visitors that there is more to you that meets the eye, and maybe a good conversation starter.

Please be careful when you have candles that they are safely enclosed so as to not be knocked over or caught on a curtain, cloth etc. And do not leave them unsupervised.

Apart from that I say go for broke.

Have fun! I would love to hear how you fair.