Top of this St. Paddies Day to you!
This year from February 18 through March 19 the sun is in the astrological sign of Pisces. The symbol representing Pisces is two fish swimming opposite directions, its element is water, its ruling planet is Neptune.
The following story, told to me by an Irish man about how his father used to fish the streams by hand in Ireland, reminds me so much of the many Pisces people in my life.
When fishing for trout by hand, one SLOWLY sneaks up to the water and puts a hand in, inch by inch approaching the fish from below and delicately tickling its underside, the fish becomes mesmerized. The term for this technique is Guddling (see the link for a detailed story). The fish, merged with the water, does not suspect the human hand. At the right time, the guddler grabs the gills and catches the fish.
From the nutshell of a story, to a general blanket statement, I notice how my own Pisces friends go with the flow. The inner and outer is woven together for them through their dream world. Many are artists, dipping their brushes and ceramic tools as they express that exact dream, whether it be a vision, feeling, or emotion. They serve as healers and psychics and they don’t even realize it. They seem easily influenced by those that they mingle with and they are sometimes misled, a bit like the fish in the description above. I notice the work it takes to keep the focus on themselves rather than feeling a victim and blaming others.
Astrologically speaking, as we look at the “natal chart” of the exact time of birth, we see where the “signs” and “planets” are in the “houses” of the chart. Through interpretation we can confirm the purpose we are living, and giving. It can also show us areas in our lives that we may be not be completely aware of, thus leading us to guidance and a fresh vision.
Leaning In
Haiku on Choice
Gemini
The sun is in the astrological sign of Gemini, the twins. Ruling planet, Mercury, element, Air.
When I needed to write high school papers I never really quite knew how to go about it. I had an editor in the house, so it made things convenient if and when I played my cards right.
A technique which I perfected through the years started with me yelling out my bedroom door, “How do you spell ‘such and such’?” The reply coming from across the house, “Look it up!” would repeat for the first couple of spellings. As I continued to call out for grammar help, if the pattern held up, I knew eventually she would have to dive into my paper. She couldn’t contain herself.
She is Gemini. Her craft, words. Quickly arranging, expressing, thinking.
Like clockwork when she had had enough calling from room to room, the entire house would shake with her stomping across the kitchen floor toward my room, “Oh Gawd, let me look at that!” ripping the paper out of my hands, she went to town on it. Either by doing an edit, or sometimes, if I was lucky she would rewrite the entire thing as in the case of Trout Fishing in America by Richard Brautigan. That report was great….thanks Mom!
Walking the Bull
Taurus!
April 19, 8:56 p.m. (Pacific time) through May 20, 7:59 p.m. the sun will be in the astrological sign of Taurus. This earth sign is symbolized by the bull and ruled by the planet Venus.
Watch a bull: Four feet. Planted. Firmly. I see them watching, chewing, slow and methodical. No rush no worry.
Glass Update
If you are looking for Glass:
Ventura area…….
The Ventura Museum is now carrying glass bead earrings, blown vessels, and solid core sculpture….and these little gifty numbers:
Ojai area….
Karin at Calais & Co has glass bead earrings.
All made with fire, sand……and Teal Rowe’s hands.
In the world? Contact me for sales teal@tealrowe.com.
Teal
Tale for an Aries
This year from March 20 through April 18 the sun is in the astrological sign of Aries. The symbol representing Aries is the ram, its element is fire, its ruling planet is Mars.
Up the loose rocks and gravel of Black Rock Pass was one of our most torturous trips. Tonight after Googling “Black Rock Pass switchbacks” the mention of the “grinding, grueling, endless trudge” brings the demanding trek to mind. Above the timberline, the hot sun reflecting off the rocky trail, I recall squinting up to see the switchbacks zigzagging into oblivion. The family mood on that pass was heavy. The horses tripped more than occasionally from fatigue. The blisters on my feet were making it hard to continue to walk. Things were downright miserable. I was wondering where my brother was, and my parents must have been a bit concerned too.
Just around one of the hairier twists of the trail I looked up to see John about the size of a pea, sitting on a rock way, way up at the top of Black Rock Pass. It must have been a few miles up and he was there, alone for hours, waiting to greet us with his nonchalant, elbow on his knee, chin in hand, fingers tapping cheek, “Where have you been?” I just wanted to kill him.
Can you guess that my brother has his sun Aries. He is there first. He knows how to climb a mountain. See his blog jrowe2020.wordpress.com He will butt heads in a big way when things aren’t going his way. He goes for it without waiting for anyone. His inner machine runs on adrenaline. And one of my brothers best trait is that if you are in the hospital he will rip the doctors a new one in order to get what he wants done, done….even if he IS in Saudi Arabia and the doctor in California. AND, if you insert medical genius where Matt Damon speaks math genius, the movie “Good Will Hunting” and Matt Damon’s character sums it up nicely ….and so does this video:
And so does THIS story.
Tale for a Pisces
Top of this St. Paddies Day to you!
This year from February 18 through March 19 the sun is in the astrological sign of Pisces. The symbol representing Pisces is two fish swimming opposite directions, its element is water, its ruling planet is Neptune.
The following story, told to me by an Irish man about how his father used to fish the streams by hand in Ireland, reminds me so much of the many Pisces people in my life.
When fishing for trout by hand, one SLOWLY sneaks up to the water and puts a hand in, inch by inch approaching the fish from below and delicately tickling its underside, the fish becomes mesmerized. The term for this technique is Guddling (see the link for a detailed story). The fish, merged with the water, does not suspect the human hand. At the right time, the guddler grabs the gills and catches the fish.
From the nutshell of a story, to a general blanket statement, I notice how my own Pisces friends go with the flow. The inner and outer is woven together for them through their dream world. Many are artists, dipping their brushes and ceramic tools as they express that exact dream, whether it be a vision, feeling, or emotion. They serve as healers and psychics and they don’t even realize it. They seem easily influenced by those that they mingle with and they are sometimes misled, a bit like the fish in the description above. I notice the work it takes to keep the focus on themselves rather than feeling a victim and blaming others.
Astrologically speaking, as we look at the “natal chart” of the exact time of birth, we see where the “signs” and “planets” are in the “houses” of the chart. Through interpretation we can confirm the purpose we are living, and giving. It can also show us areas in our lives that we may be not be completely aware of, thus leading us to guidance and a fresh vision.
Videos
Ojai Style Bead Making
And for Ventura County Arts Council Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPEk5dizmzI
Wearable Art Article in Ventana Monthly
Ventana Monthly News and Entertainment
In Their Element
unzickerdesign.com
GLASS
DELORES BARRETT: Midcentury Modernism meets sophisticated style
Her medium is fused glass, a distinctly different art form than the more familiar blown glass; it utilizes a kiln rather than a torch. With this technique (and the clever use of molds, epoxy, and a sandblaster) Barrett can achieve three-dimensional orbs with portals that peek inside the piece, revealing contrasting colors and/or textures. “You get drawn in by looking at it,” she says of these “windows” she creates. “It invites intimacy.” Whether it’s a geode-like orb, a shadowbox pendant, or a personal scent bottle, Barrett’s jewelry always bears a closer look. barrettart.net
GLASS
Teal Rowe. Glass garments that go with the flow
A lifelong talent for sewing inspired her most ambitious project yet: magnificent glass dresses. Individual glass pieces are crafted separately and then carefully connected and fit to a plaster cast. “It can take a lifetime to make one,” Rowe says, explaining that each piece builds upon the other. It also requires a completely Zen-like mindset: “You can’t do glass and not be in the moment. I can’t think about anything else but what the glass is saying to me.” Preserving the mutable quality of her medium is just as important; she goes to great lengths to maintain a sense of movement. As amazing as these pieces are in photos or on a mannequin, Rowe acknowledges that they really are best seen in person and in motion. “It’s almost like performance art.”
tealrowe.com
TEXTILES
Patrick Fisher. Comfortable, cool, and edgy apparel that knows no boundaries
He started designing to promote Gamut, but his popularity has grown beyond the gym. At Studio Channel Islands Art Center’s November fashion show, Fisher showed his street art- and skateboarding-influenced apparel—and sold out his entire stock that night. His describes his tanks, long-sleeve shirts, and hats as “bridging the gap between fitness, art and, street wear.” Because Fisher’s world is about the links that connect the disparate facets, not the walls that separate them.
gamutlife.com
TEXTILES
Deborah Jarchow. A wearable tapestry of color and texture
Jarchow is most inspired by the colors and textures (as opposed to the patterns) she can create through weaving. Using 40 or 50 shades in one piece is standard. Unlike paint, where the blending of colors transforms them all into something new, woven threads maintain their chromatic integrity. “The colors sing together,” she says. “They don’t get lost.” She’s also extremely tactile, weaving by hand on large wooden looms and handling her yarn extensively to find out “what it wants to be.” This hands-on approach enables her to bring out the best in her materials: a Jarchow poncho, ruana, scarf, or other creation is full of deep, rich color and unbelievable texture. “Wearable art is such an appropriate expression,” says Deborah Jarchow. “You can wrap yourself in a beautiful piece of art. That is so appealing!”
deborahjarchow.com