I’ve been in workshops where participants ask if there are colored markers, rulers, ribbon, etc. No, I don’t have those in my crafting supplies because I’ve thought of them as scrapbooking supplies rather than collage supplies, but there are no rules in SoulCollage®, something I remind myself of a lot. Even without those types of supplies, participants have used their white out and black out pens to add an artistic element, and even the Post-It tape has appeared as part of cards. I have to stop myself from saying something about how they aren’t supposed to use those supplies for those reasons, because they can! And then I look at how they did it, and I smile – it’s unexpected, out-of-the-box, and creative.
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I’m not sure I’ll be adding any sort of “bling” to my cards, but certainly in my art journal, a complimentary activity to SoulCollage®, I use bling like stickers and colored pens in addition to images. They add a lot. Maybe someday you’ll see a dot of glitter on one of my SoulCollage® cards. I’m feeling challenged to try.

​The companion suit is my favorite because it’s animals, and I love animals. There is a guided meditation recorded by SoulCollage® founder Seena Frost that helps you identify spirit animals that correspond with each of your seven chakras. The animal may not come to you right away, but eventually you can intuit all seven. You may end up with animals that you’ve always liked or new and surprising ones. I turn to these animals and cards when I’m feeling off in a chakra area, like 3rd chakra for upset stomach, 6th chakra for headaches, etc. for some TLC.
Now when I see one of my seven animals, I tune into the corresponding chakra to make sure everything is good. Maybe the animal is showing up because I’m in good shape, or maybe I need some help. Sometimes more than one of them end up on one card and then I get to think about the relationships between the chakras and everything that goes on in my body. I would love to have a totem custom made that has all seven stacked together like I’ve done on my SoulCollage® card. It makes me feel whole just looking at it.

​I’m a Taurus, and I’ve had some excellent astrology readings that have gotten me thinking a lot about where I come from and if I made a purposeful choice to be here. I also have an identical twin sister, so we have the exact same chart, yet we are different! How is that possible? I’ve learned that above all, we crave security, which makes sense, and I now understand that we define security differently. Mine looks more like freedom and hers looks more like the Matrix. To her, freedom is the opposite of security and to me the Matrix doesn’t allow me to feel secure within myself – I feel insecure and unsafe. This has helped me understand why we clash where we do.

She’s often told me I’m stubborn, like a bull, like a Taurus! I think I’m open-minded, but that doesn’t mean I’m not also stubborn. I don’t think stubborn is a bad thing. For me, it means I’ve learned what works for me and what doesn’t, and I avoid what doesn’t. I’ve learned healthier boundaries, and while that doesn’t work for some, it works for me. I’ve come to be even more stubborn about my self-care as I get deeper into SoulCollage® and I learn more about me. It makes me unpopular sometimes, but I know what’s best for me, and how to give my best to others. I thank my dearest friends and SoulCollage® for that. 

This SoulCollage® card represents the strong and soft sides of my Taurus. It’s beautiful and makes me feel strong and grounded. It’s helped me let go of some things.