MELODY VAUGHAN
Beltaine – a time of emergence
I wonder where these aspects of emergence, new growth, trust and clarity might be felt in you and your practice at this time? How these things are present in the collective, and how they can be woven into the ecosystems to which we belong.
“…emergence notices the way small actions and connections can create complex systems, patterns that become ecosystems and societies. Emergence is our inheritance as part of this universe; it is how we change.” – from Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown
What has been emerging within you/your practice recently?
Where have you noticed new growth that perhaps is unexpected or long-overdue?
What parts of you and your practice might still be in the shade? Does this feel ok? Would you like it to be otherwise? Can you allow it to be as it is?
What is clear for you, now, during this seasonal shift? Is this a clarity that needs action or more reflection? Is it a clarity for yourself or to be shared with others?
Which tender saplings within you/your practice/your communities/the collective would you like to nurture as you head into summer?
What support might you need to tend to this? Who could you look to for companionship in this work? Where could you look for connection? How could care be embedded in each interaction?
Here in my practice it’s felt like a very long winter. For a while I’ve been asking big questions about my work, its value and relevance in the time of polycrisis. The more I’ve learnt and explored what liveable and dignified futures mean to me, the more it’s felt harder to reconcile what I do with who I am. But, I’ve also come to realise that the work I do with makers is a small microcosm of the world I want to be part of creating. And that if I approach my practice infused with all the care and attention I wish all humans could receive, then it’s not irrelevant.
A big part of figuring this out was prompted by designing and building a new website. I had made a commitment, as part of my carbon literacy training, to address the impact my Squarespace website was having on the planet but it took me quite a while to actually face it and find a new, green, hosting company (34sp.com if you’re interested, they are a small UK based company and when I have a problem I talk to a real human, it’s so refreshing). I’ve really enjoyed the technical challenge of building my own website with wordpress.org and how creating the structure for all that information has prompted me to reconsider and find new ways to express the ways I work.
The website is not finished but with this shift into high spring/early summer it feels like a good time to bring it out into the light to share with you.I would love it if you would take a wander there and see what you feel about it.
It’s a work in progress that is likely to take me a while yet to finish and that’s ok. I’m feeling less precious about it, am not as interested in presenting a perfect version of myself to you all. What I’m after is connection, building new creative and professional relationships with people who are also concerned about the future of humanity on this beautiful planet, and who believe their creativity is a vital part of getting there.
If you are interested in exploring the possibilities that exist within you/your creative practice to contribute to new futures rooted in justice and care, get in touch to find out more about the mentoring work I do.
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All the text, long form writing, art work and photography were created by me (unless credited).
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